Softball
Softball is a game similar to baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hanc ...
was featured at the
2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July.
Tokyo was selected as the host city during the ...
in
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
for the first time since the 2008 Summer Olympics. The tournament consisted of six teams. Baseball/softball was one of five sports added to the program of the 2020 Summer Olympics only. The first six opening round games were played at
Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium in an effort to highlight Fukushima's recovery from the
2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, while the remaining games were played at
Yokohama Stadium
is a baseball stadium in Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan. It opened in 1978 and has a capacity of 34,046 people.
It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. The stadium features dirt around the bases an ...
. Softball will not return in 2024.
It was originally scheduled to be held in 2020, but on 24 March 2020, the Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
. Because of this pandemic, the games were played
behind closed doors. The opening match of the event between
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
meant that for the first time since 1996, the opening match of the summer Olympiad was not a
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
match.
Competition format
The softball tournament featured a single round-robin of the six teams in which each team played one game against each other. The top two teams advanced to a gold medal game, while the third and fourth-placed teams qualified for the bronze medal game. Rankings in the round-robin stage were determined by win/loss percentage, with additional tie-breakers on head-to-head record and goal differential, although these were not ultimately necessary.
Qualification
Six teams qualified, including Japan, which, as host nation, qualifies automatically. The United States team won the
2018 Women's Softball World Championship
The 2018 Women's Softball World Championship was an international softball competition held in Chiba, Japan, from 2 August to 12 August. It was the 16th edition of the tournament, and the third edition to be sanctioned by the World Baseball Softb ...
to qualify for the Olympics as world champions. The remaining four spots were allocated through three qualification tournaments: one spot for a Europe/Africa tournament, one spot for an Asia/Oceania tournament, and two spots for an Americas tournament. Italy, Mexico, Canada, and Australia qualified by winning those tournaments.
Competition schedule
Team squads
A total of six countries entered softball teams of 15 athletes each.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Medalists
Group stage
The top two teams advanced to the gold medal match. The third and fourth-placed teams advanced to the bronze medal match.
Standings
21 July
Australia faced host nation and defending
2008
File:2008 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Lehman Brothers went bankrupt following the Subprime mortgage crisis; Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 in Myanmar; A scene from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; ...
champion Japan in the first event of the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Yukiko Ueno
is a Japanese,
(in Japanese). ''Japan Softball League''. Retrieved July 31, 2021. medal-winning started for Japan and allowed a leadoff single to
Michelle Cox
Michelle Johanna Cox (born 15 April 1991) is an Australian softball outfielder. She has represented New South Wales as a member of the U16 team in national competitions and has played on the Australia women's national softball team. From 2012 t ...
. After a flyout, Ueno
walked a batter and
hit
Hit means to strike someone or something.
Hit or HIT may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super''
* Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...
another, loading the bases.
Taylah Tsitsikronis was hit by a pitch, scoring Cox and giving Australia a 1–0 lead.
Kaia Parnaby
Kaia Parnaby (born July 14, 1990) is an Australian, former collegiate All-American, 2020 Olympian, left-handed professional softball pitcher, originally from Sydney, New South Wales. She is a pitcher and earned a scholarship to and played fo ...
started for Australia. In the bottom of the first,
Yu Yamamoto
Yu Yamamoto (山本優, ''Yamamoto Yū'', born 20 August 1988) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to ...
tied the game for Japan on a two-out single to right field.
Minori Naito
Minori Naito (内藤実穂, born 26 April 1994) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August ...
broke the tie in the third inning on a two-run home run, and Japan led 5–1 in the fourth after another home run by
Yamato Fujita
is a Japanese softball pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japan ...
.
Tarni Stepto replaced Parnaby on the mound mid–inning, allowing a hit and sacrifice fly to give Japan a 6–1 lead.
Miu Goto
is a Japanese softball left-handed pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japanese ...
came in after Ueno allowed a one-out walk in the fifth inning and struck out
Chelsea Forkin
Chelsea Forkin (born 14 July 1989) is a softball and baseball player. As a softball player, Chelsea has won 3 Australian National Championship titles with the Western Australian Flames and 1 title with the Queensland Heat.
Career
During her ...
with the bases loaded to end Australia's threat. In the bottom of the fifth,
Yu Yamamoto
Yu Yamamoto (山本優, ''Yamamoto Yū'', born 20 August 1988) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to ...
ended the game on a homer to center field, making it 8–1 and triggering the Olympics
run-rule victory.
The United States started veteran
Cat Osterman
Catherine Leigh Osterman (born April 16, 1983) is a retired American softball player. Osterman pitched on the United States women's national softball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 2008 and 2020 Su ...
on the mound, who struck out the first two batters before hitting
Emily Carosone and inducing a pop out to end the first inning.
Greta Cecchetti pitched for Italy.
Haylie McCleney
Haylie McCleney (born July 11, 1994) is an American professional softball outfielder. She played college softball for Alabama. She represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal. She most recently played in the At ...
reached first on an error, but was out at second on a
Janie Reed fielder's choice. Reed
stole second and
Valerie Arioto
Valerie "Val" Ann Arioto (born April 10, 1989) is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, softball pitcher and first baseman. She was a pitcher and infielder for the California Golden Bears in the Pac-12 Conference. ...
walked, but the Americans could not score. After four innings, Osterman had yet to allow a
hit
Hit means to strike someone or something.
Hit or HIT may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super''
* Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...
. In the bottom of the fourth, a walk,
sacrifice bunt
In baseball, a sacrifice bunt (also called a sacrifice hit) is a batter's act of deliberately bunting the ball, before there are two outs, in a manner that allows a baserunner to advance to another base. The batter is almost always put out, and ...
, and
Michelle Moultrie
Michelle Moultrie (born July 13, 1990) is an American professional softball outfielder for the Oklahoma City Spark of the Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). She played college softball at Florida, where she was named SEC Player of the Year in ...
single gave the United States a 1–0 lead. In the fifth,
Andrea Filler
Andrea is a given name which is common worldwide for both males and females, cognate to Andreas, Andrey, Andrej and Andrew.
Origin of the name
The name derives from the Greek language, Greek word ἀνήρ (''anēr''), genitive ἀνδρός ...
singled for Italy's only hit, but they could not score. American catcher
Aubree Munro
Aubree Munro Watson (born October 4, 1993) is an American, former college softball player, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball catcher. She played college softball for the Florida Gators where she won two NCAA Championships, and play ...
singled in the sixth inning and reached second on an error, then a McCleney single left runners at first and third.
Alexia Lacatena Alexia may refer to:
* Alexia (given name)
** Alexia (Italian singer) (born 1967)
*** ''Alexia'' (album), a 2002 album by the Italian singer
** Alexia Putellas (born 1994), Spanish footballer sometimes known mononymously
*** '' Alexia: Labor Omnia ...
replaced Cecchetti, and the United States scored its second run on a Janie Reed sacrifice fly. In the seventh inning,
Monica Abbott
Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is an American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball ...
replaced Osterman and struck out the side to give the United States a 2–0 win.
Facing Mexico's
Dallas Escobedo,
Victoria Hayward singled to lead off. A bunt single by
Larissa Franklin and two more singles from
Kaleigh Rafter
Kaleigh Rafter (born August 18, 1986) is a Canadian softball player.
Career
Rafter has been part of the national women's team since 2007. Rafter represented her country at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, where the team finished fourt ...
and
Jenn Salling gave Canada a 2–0 lead as Mexico came to bat. Three years after recovering from
Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of ''Legionella'' bacteria, quite often '' Legionella pneumophila''. Signs and symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches. Naus ...
,
Sara Groenewegen
Sara Angeline Groenewegen (born April 12, 1995) is a Canadian professional softball pitcher. From 2014 to 2017, Groenewegen pitched for the University of Minnesota, where she hold the all-time strikeouts and strikeout ratio records. She also curr ...
started on the mound for Canada and retired the first six Mexican batters. In the third inning, Salling added to Canada's lead with a solo home run to right field. In the fourth, Hayward singled again, stole second, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a
Kelsey Harshman single to make it 4–0 Canada.
Jenna Caira
Eujenna "Jenna" Afrodite Caira (born April 1, 1989) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball pitcher for the Canadian Wild of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Caira was a starting pitcher f ...
replaced Groenewegen in the fifth, and
Danielle Lawrie
Danielle Elaine Lawrie (born April 11, 1987) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional All-Star softball pitcher and current sports commentator. Lawrie played college softball at Washington, in which sh ...
came on in the sixth for Canada and pitched the remainder of the game to record the save.
22 July
Sara Groenewegen
Sara Angeline Groenewegen (born April 12, 1995) is a Canadian professional softball pitcher. From 2014 to 2017, Groenewegen pitched for the University of Minnesota, where she hold the all-time strikeouts and strikeout ratio records. She also curr ...
started for Canada after a loss to Japan the previous day. The Americans loaded the bases in the top of the first on a single by
Haylie McCleney
Haylie McCleney (born July 11, 1994) is an American professional softball outfielder. She played college softball for Alabama. She represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal. She most recently played in the At ...
, a fielder's choice, a single by
Amanda Chidester, and
Ali Aguilar
Alison Paige Aguilar (born August 28, 1995) is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, softball player at shortstop. She played college softball at Washington from 2014 to 2017 where she was named a three-time First ...
hit by a pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch (HBP) is an event in which a batter or his clothing or equipment (other than his bat) is struck directly by a pitch from the pitcher; the batter is called a hit batsman (HB). A hit batsman is awarded first base, provided ...
. Groenewegen
struck out
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is denote ...
Michelle Moultrie
Michelle Moultrie (born July 13, 1990) is an American professional softball outfielder for the Oklahoma City Spark of the Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). She played college softball at Florida, where she was named SEC Player of the Year in ...
to end the inning.
Monica Abbott
Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is an American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball ...
started for the United States after recording a
save the previous day. Through two innings, both pitchers recorded four strikeouts.
Jenna Caira
Eujenna "Jenna" Afrodite Caira (born April 1, 1989) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball pitcher for the Canadian Wild of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Caira was a starting pitcher f ...
relieved Groenewegen in the third and retired six consecutive batters. In the top of the fifth, the Americans took the lead when Chidester singled to score McCleney. Abbott remained dominant, striking out nine and allowing just one hit in a
complete game
In baseball, a complete game (CG) is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher. A pitcher who meets this criterion will be credited with a complete game regardless of the number of innings played—pitche ...
shutout.
Yukiko Ueno
is a Japanese,
(in Japanese). ''Japan Softball League''. Retrieved July 31, 2021. medal-winning began the game on her 39th birthday, while
Danielle O'Toole started for Mexico.
Yamato Fujita
is a Japanese softball pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japan ...
opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a solo home run, her second of the tournament, to give Japan a 1–0 lead.
Anissa Urtez tied the game for Mexico with a fifth inning solo home run to center field. Japan took a 2–1 lead when
Haruka Agatsuma
Haruka Agatsuma (我妻 悠香, ''Agatsuma Haruka'', born 18 December 1994) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held fr ...
doubled in the bottom half of the fifth. Ueno remained in the game to start the seventh inning. Anissa Urtez hit a fly ball to center field which
Eri Yamada
is a Japanese softball player who won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
At Beijing, Yamada hit .344 in the tournament while belting two home runs and driving in five for Japan. In the gold medal game s ...
dropped, scoring
Suzy Brookshire and tying the game.
Miu Goto
is a Japanese softball left-handed pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japanese ...
relieved Ueno and escaped the jam. Japan could not score in the seventh, sending the game to
extra innings
Extra innings is the extension of a baseball or softball game in order to break a tie.
Ordinarily, a baseball game consists of nine regulation innings (in softball and high school baseball games there are typically seven innings; in Little Lea ...
. In the top of the eighth inning, Canada loaded the bases with no outs, but Moto struck out the side. Japan won in their half of the eighth when a
Mana Atsumi bunt scored Eri.
In the final game in Fukushima,
Kaia Parnaby
Kaia Parnaby (born July 14, 1990) is an Australian, former collegiate All-American, 2020 Olympian, left-handed professional softball pitcher, originally from Sydney, New South Wales. She is a pitcher and earned a scholarship to and played fo ...
started for Australia, and
Greta Cecchetti started for the Italians. In the bottom of the second,
Taylah Tsitsikronis doubled to left field and advanced to third on a
Tarni Stepto groundout. She scored when
Jade Wall
Jade Wall (born 20 April 1989) is an Australian softball player. Wall started playing softball as a nine-year-old. She had a softball scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport. She represents Queensland in state competitions and, at one ...
beat out an infield single to second base. Australia held the lead the rest of the game, with
Ellen Roberts reliving Parnaby in the seventh with runners on first and second and striking out
Marta Gasparotto to keep Australia's hopes for a medal alive.
24 July
Australia and Canada began the second half of the group stage, now in
Yokohama
is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...
after the previous day's
opening ceremony
An opening ceremony, grand opening, or ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of a newly-constructed location or the start of an event. . Facing
Sara Groenewegen
Sara Angeline Groenewegen (born April 12, 1995) is a Canadian professional softball pitcher. From 2014 to 2017, Groenewegen pitched for the University of Minnesota, where she hold the all-time strikeouts and strikeout ratio records. She also curr ...
, Australia loaded the bases in the first with no outs on a
Leigh Godfrey single,
Stacey Porter ground rule double
A ground rule double is a baseball rule that awards two bases from the time of pitch to all baserunners including the batter-runner, as a result of the ball leaving play after being hit fairly and leaving the field under a condition of the ground ...
, and
Taylah Tsitsikronis hit by pitch. They took a 1–0 lead when
Jade Wall
Jade Wall (born 20 April 1989) is an Australian softball player. Wall started playing softball as a nine-year-old. She had a softball scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport. She represents Queensland in state competitions and, at one ...
walked, but Groenewegen struck out the next two batters to end the threat. Canada, facing
Ellen Roberts, responded with three runs in the first inning.
Victoria Hayward scored when third baseman
Stacey Porter threw
Larissa Franklin's ground out past the first baseman, and Canada added two more runs on a ground rule double by
Jenn Salling. Australia loaded the bases again in the top of the second.
Jenna Caira
Eujenna "Jenna" Afrodite Caira (born April 1, 1989) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball pitcher for the Canadian Wild of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Caira was a starting pitcher f ...
replaced Groenewegen and escaped without allowing any runs. In the bottom of the second, a throwing error by
Chelsea Forkin
Chelsea Forkin (born 14 July 1989) is a softball and baseball player. As a softball player, Chelsea has won 3 Australian National Championship titles with the Western Australian Flames and 1 title with the Queensland Heat.
Career
During her ...
at first base plated another run for Canada, and they made it 6–1 after a ground rule double by
Erika Polidori.
Emma Entzminger knocked in another run in the fourth inning with the bases loaded to give Canada a 7–1 lead, with
Lauren Regula pitching the seventh to end the game.
Mexico sent
Dallas Escobedo to the mound to try to secure Mexico's first tournament win, while the United States started
Cat Osterman
Catherine Leigh Osterman (born April 16, 1983) is a retired American softball player. Osterman pitched on the United States women's national softball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 2008 and 2020 Su ...
. Mexico got its only hit in the bottom of the second, when
Victoria Vidales beat out an infield hit to the shortstop. In the top of the third, a leadoff walk and
Haylie McCleney
Haylie McCleney (born July 11, 1994) is an American professional softball outfielder. She played college softball for Alabama. She represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal. She most recently played in the At ...
single saw Escobedo replaced by
Danielle O'Toole, who got two outs and intentionally walked
Valerie Arioto
Valerie "Val" Ann Arioto (born April 10, 1989) is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, softball pitcher and first baseman. She was a pitcher and infielder for the California Golden Bears in the Pac-12 Conference. ...
before
Ali Aguilar
Alison Paige Aguilar (born August 28, 1995) is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, softball player at shortstop. She played college softball at Washington from 2014 to 2017 where she was named a three-time First ...
singled to center field to give the United States a 2–0 lead. In the top of the sixth,
Anissa Urtez threw out Arioto at home on a ground out, keeping the score close.
Monica Abbott
Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is an American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball ...
pitched a scoreless seventh inning to secure a third tournament win for the United States.
Yamato Fujita
is a Japanese softball pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japan ...
, pitching for the first time in the tournament, started the game for Japan. She pitched two scoreless innings before allowing a double to
Beatrice Ricchi and being relieved by
Miu Goto
is a Japanese softball left-handed pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japanese ...
, who struck out a batter and got two ground outs to escape the third inning. In the top of the fourth, third baseman
Yu Yamamoto
Yu Yamamoto (山本優, ''Yamamoto Yū'', born 20 August 1988) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to ...
hit a two-run homer to give Japan a 2–0 lead. Fujita, batting next, hit a deep fly ball that
Laura Vigna kept in the park. In the sixth inning, Fujita gave Japan three more runs on her third home run of the tournament. Moto, who struck out nine of 19 batters, pitched the remainder of the game to give Japan its third win.
25 July
Monica Abbott
Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is an American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball ...
started for the United States and recorded a scoreless first.
Tarni Stepto, pitching for Australia, surrendered a leadoff triple to
Haylie McCleney
Haylie McCleney (born July 11, 1994) is an American professional softball outfielder. She played college softball for Alabama. She represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal. She most recently played in the At ...
, who was thrown out at home two batters later by shortstop
Clare Warwick on an
Amanda Chidester fielder's choice. The teams traded quick innings until the top of the sixth, when Australia loaded the bases on
Leigh Godfrey's single and walks from
Stacey Porter and
Jade Wall
Jade Wall (born 20 April 1989) is an Australian softball player. Wall started playing softball as a nine-year-old. She had a softball scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport. She represents Queensland in state competitions and, at one ...
. Abbott struck out
Michelle Cox
Michelle Johanna Cox (born 15 April 1991) is an Australian softball outfielder. She has represented New South Wales as a member of the U16 team in national competitions and has played on the Australia women's national softball team. From 2012 t ...
to keep the game scoreless. With no score after seven innings, the game moved into
extras.
Belinda White, began the inning at second base, and moved to third on a Godfrey sacrifice bunt. Abbott intentionally walked Porter, then walked
Taylah Tsitsikronis and Wall to give Australia a 1–0 lead. In the bottom half, McCleney singled and a
Janie Reed sacrifice bunt left runners at second and third.
Amanda Chidester won the game for the United States on a single to left field.
Japan returned to
Yukiko Ueno
is a Japanese,
(in Japanese). ''Japan Softball League''. Retrieved July 31, 2021. medal-winning to start its fourth tournament game, while Canada started
Sara Groenewegen
Sara Angeline Groenewegen (born April 12, 1995) is a Canadian professional softball pitcher. From 2014 to 2017, Groenewegen pitched for the University of Minnesota, where she hold the all-time strikeouts and strikeout ratio records. She also curr ...
. Groenewegen pitched three innings, allowing three hits and striking out two before
Jenna Caira
Eujenna "Jenna" Afrodite Caira (born April 1, 1989) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball pitcher for the Canadian Wild of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). Caira was a starting pitcher f ...
took over through the fourth. After
Haruka Agatsuma
Haruka Agatsuma (我妻 悠香, ''Agatsuma Haruka'', born 18 December 1994) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held fr ...
walked and
Mana Atsumi grounded out,
Danielle Lawrie
Danielle Elaine Lawrie (born April 11, 1987) is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional All-Star softball pitcher and current sports commentator. Lawrie played college softball at Washington, in which sh ...
came in to pitch for Canada and recorded two ground outs to escape unharmed. Ueno, meanwhile, allowed four hits and struck out four batters in six innings;
Miu Goto
is a Japanese softball left-handed pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japanese ...
took over in the seventh and struck out the side. In the bottom of the seventh,
Eri Yamada
is a Japanese softball player who won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
At Beijing, Yamada hit .344 in the tournament while belting two home runs and driving in five for Japan. In the gold medal game s ...
singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After pinch-hitter
Sayaka Mori
is a feminine Japanese given name.
People with the name
* Sayaka Aida (born 1975), Japanese voice actress
*, Japanese swimmer
* Sayaka Akimoto (born 1988), Japanese idol, singer, dancer, actress, television host, and model
* Sayaka Ando (born 198 ...
reached first on an error by shortstop
Janet Leung, Lawrie intentionally walked
Nodoka Harada and induced a line out from
Yuka Ichiguchi to end Japan's threat and send the game to extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Moto again struck out the side. Japan began the eighth with
Minori Naito
Minori Naito (内藤実穂, born 26 April 1994) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August ...
at second base, and she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Canada intentionally walked two batters to load the bases; Japan sent
Hitomi Kawabata
Hitomi Kawabata (川畑瞳) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a infielder. She represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal.
Playing career
She participated in the 2016 Women's Softball World Championship
The 2 ...
to third to run for Naito. Yamada ended the game by singling to center, plating Kawabata. With the win, Japan qualified for the gold medal match. Canada's loss sent the United States to the gold medal match as well to face Japan.
Dallas Escobedo and
Greta Cecchetti each started their third game of the tournament for Mexico and Italy, respectively. Mexico opened the scoring when
Chelsea Gonzales doubled to send
Suzy Brookshire home. They added another run in the third with a
Sydney Romero solo home run. After a two-run homer in the fifth by
Anissa Urtez made it 4–0, Italy relieved Cecchetti on the mound with
Alexia Lacatena Alexia may refer to:
* Alexia (given name)
** Alexia (Italian singer) (born 1967)
*** ''Alexia'' (album), a 2002 album by the Italian singer
** Alexia Putellas (born 1994), Spanish footballer sometimes known mononymously
*** '' Alexia: Labor Omnia ...
, who immediately allowed a
Brittany Cervantes solo home run. Escobedo, who surrendered her first and only hit in the sixth to
Laura Vigna, completed the game by striking out
Giulia Longhi. It was Mexico's first win in the Olympic Games and kept them in the running for the bronze medal match.
26 July
Japan faced the United States in a preview of the gold medal game to follow.
Ally Carda
Allyson "Ally" Nicole Carda (born January 15, 1993) is an American, former collegiate All-American softball pitcher and first baseman. Carda has been a member of the United States women's national softball team since 2015 and was a member of the ...
started for the Americans in her first tournament pitching appearance. In the top of the first,
Saki Yamazaki
Saki Yamazaki (山崎早紀, born 12 November 1991) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics
The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 Au ...
reached safely on an error by
Kelsey Stewart
Kelsey Stewart (born August 15, 1994) is an American softball player. She won two softball National Championships with Florida Gators softball and has been named a Second Team and two-time First Team All- SEC player, including being named 2015 SE ...
and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Hitomi Kawabata
Hitomi Kawabata (川畑瞳) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a infielder. She represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal.
Playing career
She participated in the 2016 Women's Softball World Championship
The 2 ...
’s single left runners at the corners, and Yamazaki scored an unearned run on a
passed ball
In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control, and, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a ru ...
by
Aubree Munro
Aubree Munro Watson (born October 4, 1993) is an American, former college softball player, medal-winning Olympian, professional softball catcher. She played college softball for the Florida Gators where she won two NCAA Championships, and play ...
, giving Japan a 1–0 lead.
Yamato Fujita
is a Japanese softball pitcher for the Japan women's national softball team.
(in Japan ...
, pitching for Japan, held the United States scoreless for 5⅓ innings, while Carda struck out the side in the second and held Japan at bay through the fifth.
Cat Osterman
Catherine Leigh Osterman (born April 16, 1983) is a retired American softball player. Osterman pitched on the United States women's national softball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 2008 and 2020 Su ...
relieved Carda in the sixth, striking out two batters. In the bottom of the sixth,
Haylie McCleney
Haylie McCleney (born July 11, 1994) is an American professional softball outfielder. She played college softball for Alabama. She represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal. She most recently played in the At ...
and
Janie Reed singled. After a fielder’s choice advanced McCleney,
Val Arioto tied the game with a single to left field.
Ali Aguilar
Alison Paige Aguilar (born August 28, 1995) is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, softball player at shortstop. She played college softball at Washington from 2014 to 2017 where she was named a three-time First ...
walked to load the bases, but
Delaney Spaulding flied out to end the inning.
Monica Abbott
Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is an American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball ...
pitched a perfect top of the seventh, preserving the tie. Facing Fujita in the bottom of the seventh,
Kelsey Stewart
Kelsey Stewart (born August 15, 1994) is an American softball player. She won two softball National Championships with Florida Gators softball and has been named a Second Team and two-time First Team All- SEC player, including being named 2015 SE ...
ended the game with a home run to right field.
Greta Cecchetti started for Italy, looking for its first win in the tournament.
Lauren Bay-Regula started for Canada, awaiting the results of Mexico–Australia to determine their bronze medal match opponent. In the top of the second,
Jenn Gilbert hit a home run to left-center field—her first tournament hit—to put Canada in front 1–0. In the third,
Joey Lye
Joey Lye (born May 4, 1987) is a Canadian softball player.
Career
Lye has competed at three Pan American Games. At the 2011 Pan American Games, Lye won silver. At the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, she won the gold medal, and again at the 2 ...
tripled to the right field corner and tried to score on the next play, but was thrown out at home by
Giulia Longhi on a fielder's choice. Canada increased its lead to 2–0 when
Larissa Franklin doubled with two outs to plate
Victoria Hayward. In the bottom of the third,
Erika Piancastelli
Erika Piancastelli (born June 20, 1996) is an Italian-American professional softball catcher. She plays international softball for Italy and competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Born in Italy, Piancastelli eventually went to play college softba ...
singled to center, scoring
Laura Vigna for Italy's first and only run of the tournament.
Alexia Lacatena Alexia may refer to:
* Alexia (given name)
** Alexia (Italian singer) (born 1967)
*** ''Alexia'' (album), a 2002 album by the Italian singer
** Alexia Putellas (born 1994), Spanish footballer sometimes known mononymously
*** '' Alexia: Labor Omnia ...
relieved Cecchetti in the fifth inning, and Canada added to its lead on a sacrifice fly from Franklin and a single by
Jenn Salling, who later scored when a throwing error from Lacatena allowed
Erika Polidori to reach safely. In the sixth, Hayward doubled to center field to add two more runs. Another sacrifice fly from Franklin made it 8–1 Canada. Italy could not score in the bottom of the sixth, and the game ended on the Olympics
run-ahead rule.
Facing
Kaia Parnaby
Kaia Parnaby (born July 14, 1990) is an Australian, former collegiate All-American, 2020 Olympian, left-handed professional softball pitcher, originally from Sydney, New South Wales. She is a pitcher and earned a scholarship to and played fo ...
, Mexico opened the scoring in the second when
Suzy Brookshire tripled to left field to plate
Brittany Cervantes, who later scored on a single from
Tori Vidales. In the fourth inning, Vidales doubled to score
Tatyana Forbes, who had run for Cervantes after she singled to open the inning.
Gabbie Plain
Gabrielle "Gabbie" Plain is an Australian, former All-American college softball pitcher for Washington. In her freshman year, Plain led the Huskies to a runner-up appearance in the 2018 Women's College World Series, where they lost to Florida Sta ...
came in to replace Parnaby.
Chelsea Gonzales singled to score Vidales, and Mexico led 4–0. Mexico would load the bases again but
Ellen Roberts, relieving Plain, induced a ground out from
Nicole Rangel to limit further damage. In the sixth inning,
Jade Wall
Jade Wall (born 20 April 1989) is an Australian softball player. Wall started playing softball as a nine-year-old. She had a softball scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport. She represents Queensland in state competitions and, at one ...
connected for a solo home run to make it 4–1. Escobedo completed the game with a perfect seventh to send Mexico to the bronze medal game.
Final stage
Bronze medal match
Gold medal match
See also
*
Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Baseball was featured at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo, for the first time since the 2008 Summer Olympics. Six national teams competed in the tournament: Israel, Japan (host), Mexico, South Korea, the United States, and the Dominican Republ ...
References
External links
Results book
{{DEFAULTSORT:Softball At The 2020 Summer Olympics
Softball at the Summer Olympics
2020 Summer Olympics events
2020
2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...
2021 in softball
Women's events at the 2020 Summer Olympics